Blog Challenge

Since beginning my blog, I've known that in order to grab the attention of my readers I needed to take great pictures of my work. So, I took my camera and began taking pictures of my crafts only to be less than thrilled with the results. Because I am admittedly naive, I thought all I needed to do was to point and shoot {how could I be so silly?} but found that I was coming no where near the quality photos that I desired.

Recently I've been saying {more to myself than anyone else} that I need to learn to use my camera AND take better pictures. Well, I'm now on the road to making that happen and I'm more than excited!

I signed up to take the SITS Girls' Pinterest Challenge - a challenge that not only helps bloggers learn how to use Pinterest to drive traffic to their blog but how to take great pics that people want to pin and who in turn might become a loyal follower of your blog.

I'm so grateful that this challenge exists and that I was able to be a part of it. The tips I've learned through this challenge will continue to help me make my blog all that I want it to be and more!

Here is what I've learned so far.

Day 1: The Rule of Thirds



Day 2: The Rule of Composition {and how to get rid of tilted horizons}



Day 3 & 4: Natural Lighting and Outdoor Photography {capturing those 'catchlights'}



Day 5: Self Portrait

I'm sure you expected a picture, right? Well, my intentions were good and honorable {snicker}. I even told my sister that I needed/wanted her help with this one...well, all I can say is this task fell by the wayside. Really, it's because I chickened out of doing it {pictures of me aren't my favorite}, but I've made a promise to at least give this a try....in the future {smile}.


Day 6: Pictures telling a story



I just love this pic and wanted to share. Pretty, right?



Using Pinterest, re-sizing pictures, and watermarking photos are also included in this challenge. I certainly feel more knowledgeable and a bit more daring {my camera scared me...sshhh, don't tell anyone} when it comes to showing off my crafts. Now back to practicing, that is if I can get my son to stay still long enough for me to get a good pic!

Sister Plaque

Have you heard about the wonderful site Pick Your Plum? Well, if you haven't you should definitely check them out - a great resource for awesome craft supplies at rock bottom prices! The plaque I used for this craft came from them. Check it out!



Straight out the box...YIPPEE, so excited!


Painted in an antique white acrylic paint


I used this lovely stencil I found at Michaels


I'm new at stenciling and I absolutely LOVE my tree! {smile}


Added some vinyl lettering and cream ribbon for hanging and it's all finished. I opted to add ribbon instead of using the metal that came with it.


Cool plaque that is going to make a nice birthday gift for my sister. Now, to make another gift for another sister....I love being one of many!

Prayer Board

I'm so excited to FINALLY be working on decorating our master bedroom...a project that has been long overdue and much needed. I've painted an accent wall (pics to come), bought new bedding and have spent hours online searching for ideas to get my creative juices flowing.

One of the things that I wanted to incorporate into the room was a prayer board. I saw one of these on Pinterest (here) and I immediately knew that I wanted to have one so I set out to find just the right items to create one of my very own.


I found this wonderful corkboard at the Goodwill for just $3 - perfect size, and price and I would only have a little bit of work to transform it.


I painted the frame in a chocolate brown acrylic paint


Okay, at this point I was so excited that this was coming together so well I didn't realize that I stopped taking photos of my process...LOL! I painted the corkboard with the same paint that I used on my accent wall {NOTE: not sure if this will hold up over time but we shall see}, cut out the curly tree using my Silhoutte machine and Mod Podged it on, purchased the beautiful wooden 'curly-q' letters from Hobby Lobby and painted them in an opaque white acrylic paint and attached using Gorilla glue. I finished off the frame and letters with clear polycrylic.

Here is the final product.




Of course it's been a very cloudy day so the color of the board looks different in each photo {though it's closest to its true color in the first pic}. I wish I could show the slight design and light blue coloring in the paper that I used for the curly tree but that's not showing up well either - my photos truly don't do this project justice {someday I really am going to learn how to use all the functions on my camera...HA}.

This project {like many others...lol} doesn't look anything at all like what I had in my mind but I'm very pleased with it and it looks great on my wall. With my busy schedule, I love the idea of a visual reminder of those I need to pray for and perhaps, just perhaps it will help me to slow down...even if it's just a little bit.

Little Blue's Room is linking up with these fun parties!

And the winner is....

Thank you to all who entered the GIVEAWAY! I enjoyed reading what everyone loves to do in their spare time. Spare time for me is precious, but whatever time I can find or carve out I love to read, listen to music and of course craft!


Okay, without further ado - the winners are.....




$25 Michaels gift card goes to: MeAmberP

MeAmberP said...
I like to play Angry birds, read books, write poems and sing my heart out in front of the mirror! Amber
FEBRUARY 9, 2012 7:02 PM

~ AND ~

$25 Lowes gift card goes to: Charlene Carmeans

charlene carmeans said...
I love to make jewelry, and well just about everything else...
thanks for the giveaway
Charlene
FEBRUARY 8, 2012 6:34 AM


CONGRATULATIONS WINNERS!!!


Winners have 48 hours to contact me at littlebluesroom@yahoo.com to claim your prize. Unclaimed prizes will be re-gifted with the new winner chosen through random.org.

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*Today's winners chosen through random.org*

Doll Cradle

I have a love affair with the Goodwill. Yes, I'm admitting that I just may be addicted to the discounted treasures that can be found in that building. Seriously, I'm thinking at some point it may constitute a 12-step rehab program {Hello, my name is Angela and I'm a Goodwill-aholic}.

On one of my many trips I found a precious baby doll cradle just sitting there waiting to be claimed. Of course for the low, low price of just $2.99 I knew I had to have it. Okay I know what you must be thinking, "Doesn't she have a son? Why would she buy a doll cradle?" That's the same thing I was thinking when I saw it and considered buying it but it was too cute to leave and I was sure I'd figure out what to do with it.

Well, figure it out I did. It was meant to be a gift. A gift for a little girl who will soon be joining her 'forever family' and travelling over 7,000 miles from China to meet them.


This is not the actual cradle. In my hurry to get the piece spray painted, I completely forgot to take a picture. So a search on the internet only turned up a pic of a cradle that was similar in color.


Here is my darling cradle after being primed in white


Now painted in a white gloss spray paint {not much difference, huh?}


I hand painted a representation of a Chinese butterfly and Peony flower on each side.


With the purchase of a beautiful little blanket monogrammed with her name that will go inside, I'm pleased to offer this as a gift to this family and I wish their new baby girl years of pretend play with her babies!